Knife Catalogs

[UnknownVT]

I posted some pages from some older Victorinox SAK leaflets/catalogs in this earlier thread:

Victorinox Scientists Located!

Do any of you guys have older or interesting catalogs that you would share with us, please?

For example one of the best catalogs I ever got - knife or otherwise - was one from Swiss Army Brands (aka Forschners) the official US importers of Victorinox SAKs. This was circa 1996 - I hope the scans will give you some idea to how well done this catalog was:

Front cover (8" x 8")

Inside front page (with translucent sheet with printing)

Page 1 (which is actually just a black page with a square hole cutout. the photo is actually on the page 3 underneath)

Page 3 (the photo that was showing on previous scan - can just make out the cutout on the previous sheet and the translucent sheet with printing to the left)

Sample pages:
Page: 4, black background -

alternating with Page: 6, white background:

 

[crosman177]

YES! I love catologs! I have a small collection of them(15 or so, most are older). Just orderd alot more today. Even some deal3r cats.

I have a 1997(?) Wenger Catalog brochure. Some neat images in it. 17 pages including covers.

If you want a closer look, then just ask and ill try to provide it.

 

[Wunderbar]

Sorry, no digi-camera. I have a beautiful Cutlery Shoppe catalog from '96. Back when fixed blades dominated the pages.

 

[ExamonLyf]

Cool ...nice pictures too...

 

[UnknownVT]

Originally posted by Wunderbar
Sorry, no digi-camera. I have a beautiful Cutlery Shoppe catalog from '96.

I agree the Cutlery Shoppe used to have some great catalogs - great photos and very useful information/specs.

However one doesn't need a digicam to get photos for the web or e-mail (thanks ExamonLyf for your kind words) -
a relatively inexpensive flatbed scanner will produce great images - especially of catalog pages and small objects like our knives.

Here's a post that may be useful:

some general flatbed Scanners advice

But if you do want to get a digicam - that's obviously more generally useful (but not necessarily better for catalog/manual pages, or small objects - where a scanner can often give better images) - there's this:

some general Digital Camera advice

 

[UnknownVT]

Originally posted by crosman177
YES! I love catologs! <snip>
I have a 1997(?) Wenger Catalog brochure. Some neat images in it. 17 pages including covers.

If you want a closer look, then just ask and ill try to provide it.

Hey! you know the answer is YES please.

I'm so glad someone else has a passion for knife catalogs.....
(yeah, we're all Knuts here )

Would love to see some pages that you consider the most interesting.

BTW - is that hand in the image a live one, or actually part of the catalog?

If I recall Wenger used to be imported and distributed by Precise International - who were pretty stingy about having any catalog for consumers.

Contrast that with the very presentable, even lavish catalogs from Forschners (later aka Swiss Army Brands) that they'd send to anyone who asked at a drop of a hat.....

Might that have something to do with such an overwhelming popularity of Victorinox over Wenger in the USA?

PS - Crosman177 - is that moniker from .177cal Crosman airguns?

 

[crosman177]

I had a feeling that you would like this one.

It is my hand holding it.

Yes, my name is indeed a direct relation to Crosman airguns. And yes, i do have some of theyre old cats.

Know what i like almost more then cats? Magazine advertisments, they are to die for! I got a stack of old American Shooter mags from the 70's with tons of Crosman stuff! I also love finding the knife stuff!

My webcam is all i got right now, not that good.... It may be a while before i can scan the pages for you.

I'll describe it though.

First page (cover): *Red Wenger*Text>
Wenger.
*knife*
The Genuine Swiss Army Knife (TM)<

Second page and third page(my fav!), makes up one image.
Partial cross of Swiss flag on ground, with red SAK, and an old Business type card written in swiss laying on it.

<text>
The Tools In Our Swiss Army Knives Are Made Of STAINLESS STEEL And A Rare Material Called INNOVATION.

The rare spirit of innovation expressed in the design of every Genuine Swiss Army Knife reflects the unigue demands of Switzerland's beautiful alpine landscape. By necessity, the Swiss have carved out a proud and vigorous legacy of resourcefulness. It's not surprising that people around the world reserve their hihgest esteeem for the exceptional quality and innovative design of Swiss products. Today's knife collection underscores Wenger's passionate commitment to the tradition of fine cutlery and celebrates a century -old history of precision craftsmanship. So whether you're a tradesman or a skier, a yachtsman or the country house handyman, a weekend hiker or a touring cyclist, you can be sure theyre's a Wenger Genuine Swiss Army Knife designed to meet the exacting demands of your indiviual pursuits. <text>.

Looks alot like a magazine ad.

Page 4 & 5 are describing: "Patented And Exclusive Features". Talks about "patented springless lever design", "Patented locking systems" on the the screwdrivers, "Padlock (TM) self-locking mechanisms....", "Innovative self-sharpening serrated scissors, with patented springless lever design for a prolonged life", and finally shows tool, and talks about "all purpose 5mm to 8 mm wrench...."

Page 6 & 7 are describing "INNOVATIVE FEATURES". images depicted are of and about Laser, tool box/microtechinsion, 100% serrated blade, removable mountain blike tool keys, and jeweler scredriver.

Page 8 is about, "INTRODUCING THE MINIGRIP(TM)". Shows differenct modles. And shows features and selection of different models.

Pages 9-14, list their different models then say who its fit for example "great for presentations" and list the features of the knife. Want me to list them?

Page 15 is a short ad type thing for frangance, watches and sunglasses.

Page 16 (back) is just a black page with Wenger Logo and various contact info.

 

[K Williams]

Originally posted by Wunderbar
Sorry, no digi-camera. I have a beautiful Cutlery Shoppe catalog from '96. Back when fixed blades dominated the pages.

I have one from around 1990 when they were full size(8.5" X 11"...maybe bigger?).

 

[Mike G]

Here's the cover of the Benchmade 1996-97 catalog:

 

[Junkyard]

UnknownVT,
I actually have the same catalog. I found it in my desk about a month ago when I cleaned it out. You're right, it is still one of the best catalogs that I have seen.

Jason

 

[UnknownVT]

Originally posted by Junkyard
I actually have the same catalog. I found it in my desk about a month ago when I cleaned it out. You're right, it is still one of the best catalogs that I have seen.

Jason,

Thanks, yes.... I would consider that Swiss Army Brands catalog almost a "collector's item" just from its sheer quality.

But because Swiss Army Brands (aka Forschner) were so generous with their catalogs - hopefully there are actually plenty out there that knife knuts have kept to enjoy.

I've not had too many kind words for the other SAK brand Wenger - because of their US importer's (Precise International) policy pre-1992 of being very stingy with catalogs - in fact the only way one could get anything Wenger was to be a dealer (or pretend to be one) and the catalog was a general one with a few pages devoted to Wenger ...... and people wonder why Victorinox are overwhelmingly more popular than Wenger..... smart move Wenger importer

However circa 1993 - I thought perhaps things had changed when I got this Wenger catalog from precisely Precise International (no, I am not apologizing for that deliberate pun ) when they produced and made this catalog available to the consumer public:

Wenger US catalog circa 1993

It looked nice enough - but it was this
inside back-cover/last page that made it for me:

Does anyone have or know of a similar photo for Victorinox that show all the tools laid out in a catalog or advert?

 

[ZENGHOST]

Originally posted by Wunderbar
Sorry, no digi-camera. I have a beautiful Cutlery Shoppe catalog from '96. Back when fixed blades dominated the pages.

Here you go...

 

[UnknownVT]

Originally posted by UnknownVT
it was this
inside back-cover/last page that made it for me:

Does anyone have or know of a similar photo for Victorinox that show all the tools laid out in a catalog or advert?

I'm a little embarrassed as the Victorinox version was right under my nose (ok, ok I'm a lot embarrassed )

Bear in mind this is circa 1988 - it's 29 functions - because it's before they put a straight Pin in the handle.
More recently Victorinox claims 33 functions for the SwissChamp - I can see that the photos of the more recent SwissChamps have what looks like a crimper in the handles of the Pliers:

 

[tardis]

UnknownVT,

I just received a very nice 'Victorinox Promotional Products' catalogue a few weeks ago. It's 42 pages including front and back covers. Have you seen this one ? The quality of paper / print is outstanding. I'll be keeping it safe for a long time to come - who knows, it may become a collectors item too one day.

Can't seem to get hold of a full catalogue though - they're like hens teeth

Regards,
tardis

 

[UnknownVT]

Originally posted by tardis
I just received a very nice 'Victorinox Promotional Products' catalogue a few weeks ago. It's 42 pages including front and back covers. Have you seen this one ? The quality of paper / print is outstanding. I'll be keeping it safe for a long time to come - who knows, it may become a collectors item too one day.

Can't seem to get hold of a full catalogue though - they're like hens teeth

Haven't seen this one Tardis (and I'm already jealous )-
perhaps you would be kind enough to show us some interesting pages, please?

Who produced the catalog? - was it Victorinox themselves, or an importer?

Now that you mentioned hens' teeth -
I haven't seen a paper SAK catalog for years now.

I guess with the advent of the Internet - most companies now have their catalogs on the web - which is nice in some ways being able to quickly find information and pictures.

But there is just something about a well done catalog on paper.

I've looked at both the Victorinox (Swiss) site and the official US importers Swiss Army Brands (aka Forschner) and neither had any information on a paper catalog.
But I have sent messages to ask if paper catalogs are still available.

BTW - not all locations carry the full line of every SAK made by Victorinox (and probably applies to Wenger too) - I have only seen a sort of "master" catalog as loose leaf sheets in a ring binder that Paul Elsener (son of current owner of Victorinox) had at his Victorinox Stores.

The pics of the Victorinox sheet with the Scientist that I had received direct from them in 1993 - is one of the few pages had they sent me.

Here's a sample sheet:

 

[UnknownVT]

I've received the photocopies of the old Victorinox catalog that Frank sent me from this thread:

Victorinox Scientists Located!

There are some very interesting older models:

Front cover and some models:

Note the "Original Genuine" SAK - this must have been BEFORE Victorinox and Wenger reached an agreement to have Vic called the "Original" SAK, and Wenger call theirs the "Genuine" SAK.

Here's the Champion - their flagship model before the SwissChamp:

these are the Gourmet and old Golfer (84mm)

the Gourmet probably was a forerunner to the current
Waiter model:

and the old Golfer was a smaller version of the 91mm Golfer which later was renamed to the current
Compact:

these are called interestingly -
Waiter and Tourist -

This old Waiter looks somewhat similar to the
older parallel ribbed Alox Bantams I have:

EXCEPT for the fact NO where in the photocopied catalog was there a single "Combo" Tool (combines - Bottle opener with can opener, wire stripper and large screwdriver) that's on the current Waiter, Compact, and Alox Bantam.

The older models in the Photocopied catalog have either a small blade or the standard screwdriver tool (combines - Bottle opener with large screwdriver & wire stripper - ie: NO can-opener - it's on the other separate tool).

 

[tardis]

Hi UnknownVT

The catalogue is made by Victorinox...it even has a Victorinox part number on the back ! I just emailed them and asked for a catalogue and that's what they sent back to me. Although I enjoy looking on the web for knives etc, you can't beat a nice, well presented catalogue in my opinion, especially when the materials and print quality are so good. The problem is, it makes me want to buy more of them ! They can also be used to enter info about your personal collection - on 'post-it notes' of course

I'm sorry I can't post any pics of it, as I don't have a digi-cam or scanner here, otherwise I definitely would have done for you. Thanks for including those images you posted too - very interesting indeed, especially the older ones.

I have seen a FULL Victorinox 2002 catalogue in a little shop in Bangkok selling all kinds of swiss products, including SAK's. It was very thick indeed and again of a high quality. The cute little shopkeeper (whom I've gotten to know quite well BTW) guards it with her life ! She said they are very, very hard to get hold of...only dealers have the rare opportunity.

So, there you go...our hunt continues.

Regards,
Tardis

 

[UnknownVT]

Tardis,

Have to see if I can acquire a Victorinox dealer catalog -
becasue I haven't seen a paper catalog for SAKs for sometime now.

Since I found my very first real EDC - the budget Vic Waiter/bartender model (Jan/1982), and discovered that it had a different Combination tool from the current models - I've re-looked at my SAK catalogs. In a leaflet I got from Forschners (now aka Swiss Army Brands) on Victorinox SAKs circa 1987/8 -

and found the illustrations do show both types.

The photocopied old catalog Frank sent me had NO Combination tools.

So it would appear that perhaps the combo tool was introduced in the early 80's(?) and some time around 1987 it was changed to the current version - that Forschner catalog shows both type so perhaps that was the transition period.

I'll post another thread on the Victorinox Combination tool later.

 

[UnknownVT]

Victorinox made an Economy line of SAKs that are supposed to have the same tools but with textured nylon handles and press-in silver printed shield logos instead of the regular embedded metal ones.

showing Economy Waiter (top) and Economy Huntsman (lower)

Here are the details of the Economy Huntsman:

Notice the different handles and the press-in printed shield logo - these are as far as I can tell the only differences - Victorinox themselves say the tools are exactly the same as in the regular full priced models

(According to APS from another thread - the timeline for the nylon matte handles was 1994)

 

[tardis]

UnknownVT,

I had an Economy Camper model (my mother has it now) but the handles were smooth not textured ? It looked like cellidor and not textured nylon. The actual plastic looked very like the 'non-economy' ones. It also had a shield imprinted onto it.

So, the handles on the Economy range come in both textured nylon and smooth cellidor, I didn't know that.

Your learn something new every day

Regards,
Tardis